Phonometrologist's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[MOTHERSHIP-1]

The intro/ambient section is really something. I would love to write this myself or at least listen to a whole track of just that. It's such a great build up.
By the time the piece abducts us, I can't visualize a better description of an alien horror flick.
This one is very alluring. Would of loved to hear it conclude with another ambient section after all that energy to conclude the piece. Would be a perfect bookend to the madness.

LD-W responds:

Ayy thanks, yeah I'm planning on revisiting this piece in the next couple/few months to finish it off properly. If only I had an extra 4 hours or so, I would of had the ending segment a tad longer (along with a greater diversity of rhythm and texturing), followed by a proper dark ambient ending to extend the run length out to 4-1/2 minutes.

I am working on a full dark ambient piece at the moment which follows a more 'Underwater/Abyssal Tech' theme and is in a similar kind of style to the intro of this track, current plans are for it to run at least 5-7 minutes. Chances are that I'll release it for Robot Day in less than 2 weeks time since it could tie into it fairly alright haha

[Does she love me?]

Mixing is done well for this timepiece, and the percussion is fun to listen to. I just get tired of hearing drone instruments like bagpipes after a couple minutes because I just want that note to change. Once I get past that by listening to the melody and percussive parts, this becomes quite enjoyable. There are quite a bit of different parts one can listen to, and they sound like they were played individually as if I was hearing an ancient jam session. Would have been more so if it was less quantized, but the expressiveness makes up for that. Good work.

Everratic responds:

Hey Phono, thanks for the review!

I happen to greatly enjoy compositions based on a drone. They can feel much more earthly and emotionally transparent than classical and contemporary music, so it's refreshing to listen to sometimes. I don't mind listening to the hurdy gurdy drone/rhythms for minutes at a time, but I can understand how some people find it annoying.

I'm glad you like the percussion and expressiveness :)

I'm also happy to hear the mix is well done. The library was recorded dry and mono, so I had to stereorize the instruments then apply early reflections reverb. The process is new to me so I'm glad it worked well.

[What Lies Ahead (NGADM)]

Very smooth and pleasant to listen to. It reminds me of some of the music I would play along with during the Unreal series mixed in with what Philip Glass would do if he was into writing fusion. The whole piece sounds like a constant transition as it just cycles through and through. Hence the title I suppose and it fits.

FateModified responds:

Thanks!! I gotta check out some of the music you mentioned that it reminds you of. I’ve heard of Philip Glass but I’m not sure I’ve heard much of his music. They sound cool! And actually I named the song after the current state of the way life seems now in these very uncertain times, but I do like your interpretation of its meaning. I’m horrible with naming my songs lol, but I’m glad you thought this name is fitting. Thanks for the comment! :)

[Reframe]

Hi Valent. Just wanted to stop by for a listen. The timbre of some of the synths reminds me a bit of garlagan's early works. I like your taste in what synths you use. I admit I don't have much exposure in this genre so my references are limited. Regardless, the groove and melody is a pleasure to listen to. The arrangement choices work well, and you provide enough variety changes in the instrumentation. If I may encourage you to think more in providing that variation musically as well. For every time you change the instrumentation, provide a countermelody that is recognizably different from the one we are first introduced to, or add a different section altogether by treating the instruments as individuals that contribute to the conversation. That's my one critique in that the section changes merely reside in the instruments as if a parrot was in the room speaking the same words as its counterparts.

UmValent responds:

Thank you so much for the in-depth review!
I totally get your point regarding the section changes. Funny thing is, while drafting, I had a completely different guitar section in the middle. Since I felt it provided too much contrast to the rest of the track, I scrapped it entirely. Maybe it would have served to differentiate the sections more and alleviate the issue, just like you described.

[raccoon joins band practice for the first time]

Played this and my daughter had to come over to take a look. We both like it. The arrangement and chord structure doesn't get boring either. The only thing I would have imagined differently with a raccoon and other animals marching is that it wouldn't be so quantized on the beat. I expected to hear more rubato, misses, and tempo automation. That being said. This one is a lot of fun even after multiple listens.

johnfn responds:

HAHA! omg im glad your daughter liked it :D I was SORELY tempted to add more un-quantization and mistakes but i was worried about making the song a little too hard to listen to just for fun you know? it's a tradeoff. not gonna lie though i spent like 50% of the time on this song making the intro perfectly wrong. :D

hope you're doing well!!

(i did actually just reupload it with some more badness to make it... better... ?_?)

[Plakativ]

Welcome back! This one's a trip. I appreciate the atmosphere and variety in this one. I can't really offer an analysis nor desire to critique the mix. I just enjoy this one, and it got me to smile.

Azhthar responds:

Thanks a lot and good to see you are still around here!

[Communication Offline]

I've been meaning to return to this when I had not realized that you've become quite productive in submitting two tracks since this. Then again, now looking at when you uploaded this, I think I went into a coma and lost track of time! I've been out of touch from so many here lately. That moment at 1:45 is soo good. Very satisfying.

ZLEAP responds:

It's ok. I think I've got you beat on inactivity, though :P

Thanks :)

[Failing Orwell]

To me this is the airline companies entrance music when they approach Trump for that bailout. The execs can high-five each other after giving themselves that bonus.
Musically speaking, don't go changing. Really like the atmosphere and melody on this... suits this climate well.

ZLEAP responds:

These truly are dystopian times we're living in. And now, with a global pandemic, things are only getting worse. I hope you're doing well, friend. Stay safe.

[Mother Machine 7 : Full Album]

I downloaded this thing, because I can't sit still for 30 minutes on the computer without getting distracted. The problem with that is not being able to go back to a particular track as easily as I would like. I have no idea what the track names are, but track 1 is what really hooked me in. I knew I had to download it at that point.
The sounds and grooves in this whole thing is captivating. I'm surprised it doesn't get as much attention here. This whole thing got me in a trance.

Anchorwind responds:

I thank you. FYI, if you look at my profile I'm fairly good at labeling - 2019 is nothing but MM7 and Ten Years of Tragedy (TYoT) tracks. 2018 was mostly MM6, etc.

The track in question is 'Accepting Her Invitation' and can be found here https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/862740

[Dilatory]

This really makes me happy to hear. And I get what Anchorwind is saying, but this does have your signature sound. Your voice is distinguishable in this track with a bit of chill. I like the intro and groove.

ZLEAP responds:

Thanks, man.

I'm just glad to be writing again. It's been too long.